The Holy Quran is a book of guidance and a sea of
information for those who take motivation from it. As the word of God revealed
to the Holy Prophet (pbuh&hp), it contains historical parables,
jurisprudential information, ethical advice, and states that we need to instill
in our lives.
While the Quran is intended to be a guide for all of
humanity, regardless of creed, identity, cultural background, age, or gender,
we have more potential to read from its guidance and knowledge if we purify our
hearts. God states, There is no doubt that this book is a guide for the
religious.
It is essential to recognize that the book of Allah is an
important book we hold. It is up to us to give it the respect it deserves and
thus follow the advice of the Ahl al-Bayt (pbut) when we make the aim to recite
it.
It is highly advised to perform wudhu (or ablution) before reading of the Quran, as ablution
cleanses our physical bodies, and makes us spiritually mindful that we are
entering into an act of worship. God states, “No one can touch it except the
purified ones.”
Furthermore, we should sit in the area of the Qiblah (the
direction of the location of the Holy Kabah), another physical explanation that
we are submitting to Allah.
When reciting Quran,
we need to recognize that it contains the best and most beautiful words and
thus recite it most beautifully. We should use our best voice when we are
reciting the word of Allah.
We should not scream nor use a very faint voice. God states,
“And recite the Quran in a distinct
tone.” In a powerful narration, Imam Ali (p) advises us to, “Recite it [the
Quran] clearly, and do not cut it like the cutting of hair (or do not read it
like poetry), and do not spend it like the scattering of sand (or do not read
it like prose). Reflect on its wonders and motivate with it your hard hearts.
Never think how to finish the [Chapter] quickly.” Imam’s words make it clear to
us how we should recite the Quran.
The Quran has a unique potential to allow us to fulfill our
responsibilities to God and our religion. It presents us with spiritual insight
and advice on how to live our lives due to the values it stresses, such as
patience, generosity, and caring for others.
But as much as we read the Quran and memorize its verses, we
should, more than anything else, make constant efforts to apply its teachings as
Imam Ali (p) supplicates, “Oh Allah! Expand my Heart with Quran, actuate my
body with Quran, enlighten my sight with Quran, liberate my tongue by Quran,
and encourage me to mold my life according to Quran, so long as You make me
live.
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